With deep love and sadness we regret to inform our family and friends of the passing of our beloved son and brother James Leon Leath, who was received into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior on March 14, 2025. James was born on March 27, 1957 in Monmouth, Illinois to James and Edna (Trout) Leath. He was the eldest of six children. James loved to fish, enjoyed all types of music, was an avid reader, and had a wickedly dry sense of humor. Although he had no children of his own, he loved to spend time with and celebrate the accomplishments of numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. James graduated from Warren High School in 1975. He joined the United States Army in August of 1978 and served until 1985. James married Waltraud Metzger on July 29, 1983 in Butzbach, Germany. They later divorced. He then continued his education graduating from Carl Sandburg College in 1986 and got his bachelor of business from Western Illinois University in 1988. After graduation he went to work for the Air Force Auditing Agency. While employed he completed two additional degrees, a Bachelor of Science from Park College in 1993 and a Masters of Science from the University of Nebraska in 2004. He was a licensed CPA in the state of North Dakota. James retired in October of 2016 after 35 years of service to our country. James is survived by his parents, James and Edna Leath of Cameron, Illinois, two sisters, Donna Lovdahl and Kevin of Monmouth, Illinois, and Deborah Anderson and Gary of Galesburg, Illinois, two brothers Tom Leath and Sherri of Roseville, Illinois and Daniel Leath and Rachel of Holt, Missouri, and his sister in law Lisa Leath of Oquawka, Illinois, fifteen nieces and nephews and numerous great nieces and great nephews. He is preceded in his death by his grandparents and one brother, Kenneth Leath.
A funeral service is planned by his family at 10:30 am on Friday March 21,2025 at Turnbull Funeral Home in Monmouth, which is in charge of his care. His family plans visitation and will receive their friends at Turnbull Funeral Home in Monmouth on Thursday March 20th from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Interment with Military Honors will be in Silent Home Cemetery in Cameron following his funeral service. A memorial fund has been established for Samaritan’s Purse and may be left at the funeral home. To leave a remembrance or for more information please visit www.turnbullfuneralhomes.com
